By Bernard D. Cole, Naval Institute Press, 2010. Reviewed by Dr. David F. Winkler On the banner on the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings reads “The Independent Forum of the Sea Services.” This certainly can be said of the Naval Institute Press which offers titles that can educate and influence policy makers. One example is my

By Ed Offley, Basic Books, New York, NY, (2011) Reviewed by Thomas P. Ostrom Ed Offley brings writing and research skills to his book on the World War II Battle of the Atlantic. The conflict featured German submarines (U-boats) versus the combat ships of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Britain’s Royal Navy, and the Royal

By Gregory Fremont-Barnes, Osprey Publishing, UK (2011). Reviewed by Captain John A. Rodgaard USN (Ret.) Osprey Publishing’s Campaign Series of books are noted for their concise quality in conveying military history. One of their latest offerings, written by Dr. Gregory Fremont-Barnes, is no exception. Nile 1798: Nelson’s First Great Victory is well laid-out; succinctly written

By Jerry Miller, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, ( 2010) Reviewed by Charles Bogart This well-written and crafted book is an insider’s look at how the United States’ strategic nuclear weapon stockpile grew from three weapons in 1945 to over 10,000 in 1980 and then began to shrink to its present level of some 2,000.

By Angus Konstam, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, England, (2011). Reviewed by Charles Bogart For the past decade, Osprey Publishing has been producing high quality, well illustrated books on various military affairs. This book is part of their Raid Series and tells the story of Sir Francis Drake’s raid on Spanish possessions in the Caribbean Sea. With

By Hal M. Friedman, Naval War College Press, Newport, RI (2010). Reviewed by Thomas P. Ostrom Hal M. Friedman brings a scholarly background to his naval history writing: associate chair and professor of modern history at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan, and an MA and Ph.D. in political science and international relations. Dr.

By Steven Craig Reynolds, Authorhouse, Bloomington IN (2009) Reviewed by David F. Winkler Whereas a recent blog story featured a Curt Marsh review of David Sears Such Men as These, it is timely to review what could be called a companion book by Steven Craig Reynolds that attempts to answer the question “Where do We

By Brian Arthur (Woodbridge, Boydell Press, 2011) Review by NHF Director, Dr. William Dudley (Note: this review and the author’s response originally appeared in Reviews in History. We thank them for allowing this republication.) Among the new books that have emerged coincident with the commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Brian Arthur’s

By Benerson Little, Fair Winds Press, Beverly, MA (2011). Reviewed by Capt. Roger F. Jones, USN (Ret.) From the cover, one might be forgiven for thinking that Little’s book could be an “ode to piracy,” but after reading a few pages, it is clear that the author has something very different in mind. He has

By David Sears, Da Capo Press, New York, 2010. Reviewed by Col. Curt Marsh, USMC (Ret.) The author, David Sears who is a former U.S. Navy officer and Vietnam War veteran with service aboard destroyers, has presented a well researched book that chronicles the important contribution of naval aviation to the Korean War effort. Sears’

By Del Staecker, Cable Publishing, Brule, WI, (2009). Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart The author is the son of Irvin H. Staecker who served on board the Lady Gangster from 1941 to 1945. The Lady Gangster was the crew’s name for USS Fuller (APA 6). The ship’s nickname developed from the fact that many of

By Jerome S. Welna, Heritage Books, Westminster, MD, (2009). Reviewed by J. Wandres Jerome S. Welna makes a heroic effort to tell The True Story of a Destroyer Sailor’s Life at Sea During World War II. The first 90 pages give a pocket peek at events causing and leading to World War II. Welna relies

U.S. Fast Battleships 1936-47: The North Carolina and South Dakota Classes U.S. Fast Battleships 1938-1991: The Iowa Class By Lawrence Burr, Osprey Publishing, Leeds (UK) (2010). Reviewed by Norman Polmar With hundreds of books having been written about battleships, the question must be asked: Can these two slim monographs make a contribution to the

By Eric Dietrich-Berryman, Charlotte Hammond, and R. E. White, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD (2010) Reviewed by Captain Roger F. Jones, U.S. Navy (Retired) This book describes how twenty-two relatively unknown Americans initially fought beside the British by serving in the Royal Navy during the early years of World War II. During this period, the

by Jim Leeke, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD (2009). Reviewed by JJ Ahern Theodore Roosevelt referred to the Spanish-American War as a “splendid little war.” It is the shortest declared war in United States history – lasting only four months – and catapulted the nation to colonial power with the acquisition of territories in the

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Latest Book Review

Christopher McKee’s latest work is a beautifully drawn elegy of the sailors and Marines who were admitted to the “refuge on the Schuylkill” in the 19th century. When first opened it was in bucolic setting removed from Philadelphia, with all the best intentions for men who had given years to honorable naval service. But as Read more →